Reports and Other Documents

Annual Reports

Other Documents

Energy Use in Juneau

The majority of Juneau’s energy comes from fossil fuels; however, almost all of Juneau’s electricity is produced by hydropower, a renewable resource.

Juneau has recognized that continued dependence upon fossil fuels is not desirable.  As a result, the CBJ has developed a Climate Action Plan and the Assembly has unanimously supported the Juneau Renewable Energy Strategy (JRES) with a goal of moving the community toward 80% renewable energy by 2045.

CBJ Energy Management

The CBJ spends about $8 million per year on energy. Adopting a formal energy management program, including tracking energy use and costs, implementing energy efficiency best practices, and implementing the recommendation of energy audits could result in substantial savings. Consolidating the CBJ vehicle fleet and converting to electric vehicles is another area of potential energy and cost savings. The CBJ could also provide examples and information to the public on opportunities for energy savings. These provide the mechanics for CBJ to lead by example.

Heating

Space heating accounts for about 21% of energy use in Juneau. Significant shifts to electric heat have occurred over the years, particularly when fuel oil costs were high relative to electric rates, so today almost 25% of Juneau homes are heated by electricity. In 2012, JCOS created a Juneau Space Heating Fuel Comparison Calculator to help individuals compare options for their home.

Heat Pump Resources

Heat pumps are increasing in popularity in residential, commercial, and public buildings in Juneau due to their ability to decrease energy costs. The City and Borough and Juneau have installed several ground-source heat pumps, and local air source heat pump installation and service companies for residential and commercial buildings have expanded significantly.

• JCOS Heat Pump Information Sheet
• Renewable Juneau’s Heat Pump Page
• The Cold Climate Housing Research Center’s Heat Pump Calculator

Wood Energy and Wood Pellet Stove Resources

Wood is estimated to provide approximately 3% of Juneau’s energy. The use of wood primarily provides space heating although more sophisticated systems are available that can also provide hot water.

• Alaska Wood Energy Development Task Group – Includes wood energy handbooks, energy calculators, and other resources
• Wood Energy for Residential Heating in Alaska: Current Conditions, Attitudes, and Expected Use – A study by the U.S. Forest Service’s Pacific Northwest Research Station

District Heating

Beginning in 2013, JEDC’s Renewable Energy Cluster Group began looking at opportunities to bring district heating to Juneau and other communities.  In 2016, plans to develop a district heating facility were announced by Juneau District Heating.

Renewable Heating Suppliers

• Alaska Hearth Products: 8600 Airport Boulevard, Juneau, Alaska 99801; (907) 789-1332; fax:  (907) 789-5132
• Alaska Plumbing and Heating: (907) 209-6648
• All American Plumbing and Heating: (907) 789-1800
• Cameron Plumbing and Heating: 1850 Crest Street Juneau, Alaska 99801; (907) 789-2896
• Harri Plumbing & Heating Incorporated (Geothermal heat pumps): 809 W. 12th St. Juneau, AK  99801;(907) 586-3190
• Icehouse Refrigeration: (907) 523-2700
• Pacific Rim Mechanical (Pellet boilers): Haines, Alaska; 907-382-2068
• The Plumbing and Heating Company: (907) 789-3332
• Schmolk Mechanical Contractors: (907) 225-6648

If your business offers renewable heating options and you would like to be listed, please contact CBJ staff liaison Tim Felstead at [email protected].

Recycleworks Program

The City and Borough of Juneau’s Recycleworks Program is tasked with developing and implementing recycling, household hazardous waste, junk vehicles, and organics management programs, to protect the health and safety of our community and environment. They are guided by a 3-5 year Solid Waste Action Plan. To learn more about how to reduce, reuse, and recycle in Juneau, check out Recyclework’s resources:

• Recycling
• Household Hazardous Waste
• Junk Cars
• Curbside Pickup
• Composting
• Sharps and Pharmaceuticals
• Solid Waste Projects and Plans

Growing Food In Juneau

Community Gardens in Juneau

• Juneau Community Garden (Montana Creek)
• Douglas Community Gardens

Southeast Alaska Gardening Tips and Tricks

• Gardening in Southeast Alaska
• Raised Bed Gardening
• Gardening with Row Cover
• Recommended Variety List for Southeast Alaska
• Growing Potatoes in Alaska
• Growing Rhubarb in Alaska
• Growing Carrots in Alaska
• Growing Garlic in Alaska
• Growing Brassicas in Alaska

Other Gardening Resources

• UAF Cooperative Extension Juneau Office
• Southeast Alaska Master Gardeners Association
• Juneau Garden Club
• Sitkavore Gardening Blog

Harvesting Wild Food in Juneau

Below are some resources about harvesting wild Alaskan foods in our region.

Foraging and Preparing Wild Plants

• Harvesting Alaskan Wild Plants
• Edible Berries and Mushrooms of Southeast Alaska
• Food-a-be:  A Food and Foraging Blog in Southeast Alaska
• Common Edible Seaweeds in the Gulf of Alaska
• Mushrooms of Alaska’s National Forests
• UAF Cooperative Extension Publications – Includes a variety of publications on preserving Alaskan fish, game, berries, mushrooms, and more
• Alaska Sportfishing Information
• Alaska Hunting Information

Gathering, Hunting, and Fishing Regulations

• Southeast Alaska Sportfish Regulations
• Alaska Hunting Regulations
• Seaweed Harvest Regulations

Water

Water and Sustainability

Water plays an essential role in our world, especially in Juneau – a place that averages over 110 inches of rain each year and relies on hydropower as its primary source of electricity.

It may seem odd to think about conserving water in a place that has so much of this resource. However, water and sustainability isn’t just about “conserving” water, it’s also about knowing how much of an impact we have on our water supply. Our actions directly influence this resource and the other resources required to sustainability manage our water. For example, it takes a great deal of energy and infrastructure to process drinking water, as well as wastewater, around our community. Developing a better understanding of how we currently manage this process has the potential to lead to direct social and economic benefits.

Local Resources

• Juneau Watershed Partnership: Promotes community stewardship and the sustainable use of Juneau’s watersheds.
• Juneau Watershed Library: The Juneau Watershed Partnership has a resource library that includes areas such as hydrology, waterbody management plans, wetlands, water rights, and water quality.
• City & Borough of Juneau Water Utility: Provides information on Juneau’s water sources.
• CBJ Wastewater Information: Provides information on Juneau’s wastewater.
• Alaska Dept. of Environmental Conservation, Division of Water: Information about wastewater and storm water permitting, and non-point source pollution management.
• Alaska Dept. of Environmental Conservation, Division of Environmental Health: Information about safe drinking water and drinking water protection areas.
• Alaska Dept. of Natural Resources, Mining, Land & Water: Information on hydropower development and water reservation permitting.

Climate

Along with the rest of the world, Southeast Alaska is experiencing climate related changes. Our region has already experienced about a 3ºF increase in average winter temperatures over the past 60 years, with a decrease in annual snowfall at sea level from approximately 109 inches to 93 inches. In coming decades, Southeast Alaskan communities can expect warmer and wetter conditions, warming ocean temperatures, and ocean acidification, with affects on fisheries, impacts on transportation and infrastructure, and the economic costs of responding to climate impacts likely increasing over time.

For Juneau residents and visitors, the rapid retreat of the Mendenhall Glacier is a powerful reminder. Of particular concern are impacts to Juneau’s hydropower resources, and to salmon and other marine fish and wildlife that are important to our economy and recreation.

Photos courtesy J.D. Beedle: Left – Mendenhall Glacier, 1993. Right – Mendenhall Glacier, 2010

The community of Juneau is working to address climate change by both thinking and planning for expected changes (climate change adaptation), and taking action to reduce carbon emissions (climate change mitigation).

Climate Change Mitigation in Juneau

In order to better understand Juneau’s contributions to climate change, the 2007 CBJ Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventory and the 2010 CBJ Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory were completed. CBJ is in the process of updating our community GHG emission inventory for 2021.  Click here to see a presentation on the preliminary results.

In 2011, the Juneau Assembly adopted the Juneau Climate Action and Implementation Plan, which set a target of a 25% community-wide emissions reduction to be achieved by the year 2032. An associated Climate Action Manual provided guidance on CBJ Implementation of the Climate Action and Implementation Plan.

One of the major recommendations of the Juneau Climate Action Plan was for the City to develop a renewable energy strategy. The implementation of this recommendation, culminated the adoption in 2018 of the Juneau Renewable Energy Strategy.

Climate Change Adaptation in Juneau

Projecting impacts of climate change is an essential step for communities to better adapt. In 2007,